Tossing the dead creature over the side, Gurgun flashes a grim grin. Jorn is clever! Soon we will be able to leave this cursed realm, Gurgun for one wants to get back to the monastery; Gurgun will be seeking balance in his life for all the death and destruction of late. Thraka and the others should be told to join us: no one will be left behind.

Slove steps back from the controls.
He think about what said.
"Would not the remove of undead balance out remove of living?"

The destruction of the undead, and confronting Savera both Gurgun was duty-bound to do. What Gurgun means is that we have been fighting and destroying for days now. To reach a balance, it is now time for contemplation and meditation. This is the way of Oghma; the knowledge gained here must be distilled and analyzed, and in time disseminated and recorded.

Tir'in'tiral, Portal Control Centre
Time Unknown

The final glass block settled into place, completing the arch and the entire ring. Each block began to glow with a soft light, and a musical humming echoed around the domed chamber. Looking out through the transparent walls, they could see the stone ring in the distance, illuminated by a light with no source. It was now fully active, working in both directions. They had a way home.

*

Meanwhile

Sildëyuir, Grand Portal Control
Time Unknown

Evindra Nightsong looked up from the enchanted glass panel, a look of surprise and fear on her increasingly pale face. "Lord Woodwind... there's a new gate in the network..." she began.

"What?" the high mage commander hissed, equally surprised. "Is it the nilshai?"

"...No, it's one of ours, it's... Tir'in'tiral!" she breathed after poring over the display. "But that's impossible, the high mages destroyed every connection..."

"How many connections does it have now? Where does it go?" Woodwind demanded, cutting through his officer's surprise.

"There aren't any... No, wait, there's one, it was never indexed... Yuirwood, sector 4/6, fifth nexus, one connection."

"Sever it. We'll send damned Mourel floating into the infinite void this time... Nightshadow, summon the high mages. We're going to obliterate that gate and anything that comes through."

*

Tir'in'tiral, Portal Control Centre
Time Unknown

Suddenly the glowing light dimmed, before coming back on again, but it kept flickering wildly. The block that Jorn had just placed began to rise, trying to return to the storage pit. Someone, somewhere, was trying to switch it off. And if they succeeded, they would be stuck here for eternity.

Then the floor shook and the glass towers began to groan and squeak. Above, the cloudy twilit sky was darkening and the sea below was boiling.


[Private to Jorn Brightcaller: Intelligence DC 15 - Mourel probably used a secret code or backdoor to avoid the attention of the other star elves. Roll another to try to hold the portal open. This will be opposed.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Wed 23 Mar 2011.

By Oghma, are the gods against us? Jorn, can you hold it open? Gurgun cries out, frustration building up inside him.

Slove looks at controls.
"Anybody got the ability to contact the outside world.  It maybe we stop them trying to close it?"

In reply to Slove (msg #477):

"Feels...like...somethings trying to...twist me arms around!" grunted Jorn as he focused all his will on keeping the gate open. His guttural elvish chant increased in pitch and volume as the dwarf frantically tried to keep whoever it was from shutting them out;

20:10, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Int check.

Slove looks at the Portal.
"I hate arcane magic.  I really hate the stuff."

Gurgun cannot agree more. If Jorn can try and keep gate open, Gurgun will bring the others here. Gurgun is the fastest runner.

Unless someone objects, Gurgun will run back towards the Nexus and get the rest out here: he will especially alert his former travelling companions, and help get Balroks mule back first. Thraka and his crew he cares less about.

OOC: The portal isn't here, it's back on the island you arrived on. This is just the control centre.


Jorn struggled to control the system with all his will and concentration, deftly operating the magical device and countering everything his unseen opponent tried. He nearly had, it so close, but then the other activated a testing procedure, cancelling all current actions. The rod began to spin in his socket.

Then suddenly their rivals sent a magical assault down the portal network. Sound magic, of course. A deafening wail screamed out from all around, shaking them to their teeth and their bones.


OOC: Everyone, Will DC 16 or take 13 sonic damage

Jorn, you may retry the Int check.

Our non-casters may try something

OOC: Will save 17, pass!

Gurgun rushes to Jorn's side, trying to grab hold of the portal key in order to stop it from spinning.

OOC: Strength check

Strength check: 21

Jorn's mind withstood the assault, but the sonic attack distracted him, resulting in a series of dwarvern swears;

19:56, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Int check.
19:56, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Will save.

Slove stick his figures in his ear to stop the noise.
He looks at the monk and seems in half mind if help him or not.
"Need a hand?"
Clear he does not wish touch something that a major arcane item.

22:15, Today: Slove rolled 18 using 1d20+3. Will check.

Gurgun seized the rotating rod in his strong hands. It slipped in his grip a few times, but with a tight squeeze and by forcing it to the side, he managed to stop the motion. The process aborted.

*

"Sir! Diagnostics routine's been manually aborted. Looks like they've jammed it with something." Evindra called in alarm.

"Curses! Keep trying it, it might break their control mechanism. And continue the severance procedure." Woodwind ordered.

"Yes, sir!" She went back to her urgent, desperate work. The whole world depended on keeping that portal closed.

*

The other portal operator continued remote activation, trying every action she could. The rod shifted and bumped in Gurgun's hands. The mechanism inside was beginning to creak and it was all made of glass. It would shatter before it bent. And if it did, they'd be stuck here forever. And if they let it move, they would also be here for ever. Gurgun had to keep it hold it in place yet let it move just enough with the motions, to hold it tight but not too tight.

And Jorn had just one more chance to seize control of the portal, by any means necessary.


OOC: Gurgun, Strength check DC 10 - 20, not above. ;)

Jorn, Intelligence check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:36, Sat 02 Apr 2011.

Gurgun has it, but key will break if not careful. the hobgoblin grunted, struggling with the key.

OOC: Check 17

Jorn frantically attempts to regain control of the portal. Seeing his old friend come forth to help, he immediately tries to enlist him;

"Slove! See if yer can add your will to mine! Follow exactly what I say, don't falter!"

The dwarf resumed chanting, then paused;

"Oh he- GAREL! You too! Follow me chanting. Gurgun, once the gate opens dash through with Duladora! Get a message out, tell'em Mourel's vanquished!"

20:40, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Int Check LETS GO.

OOC: Can Slove Aid Another on this int check?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Sun 03 Apr 2011.

OOC: He's a spellcaster, so sure, why not? :)

"You would ask me to help Jorn.  You no good arcane meddling dwarf."
Said in his gruff voice.  If it had been anybody else Slove would backed away.
Would not touched the device.
As it was Jorn he runs to the dwarves side and follows the dwarves chart.
However he used old elven words.  Based on nature, based on love of tree and love of hunting.  A form and words no necromantic elf would use.  Words he hope would tell elves at other end that this was elf trying to return home.  Not an elf trying return to power.

OOC:
00:22, Today: Slove rolled 6 using 1d20+1. intelligence check.

OOC: Garel's not here, he's with the army.


Evindra listened with surprise as a different voice entered the signal. Elven words with an elven accent, singing of elven things. A song in a forest glade, a hunt through the tangled green paths. She glanced out the window, seeing Sildëyuir in a whole new light. The eternal twilight sky, the sparse and stunted trees, the towers of cold glass. How lifeless the star elves had become. No wonder necromancers like Mourel rose amongst them.

By the time she remembered her work, the other operator had won, successfully locking her out and seizing control of the portal.

*

With a final flash of light and a painful squeak, the control rod stopped turning, and the portal stayed on, active and strong. It would remain open like this for a good couple of minutes, but no more. They had to get out, now and fast.

Gurgun gingerly release the key, his hands trembling from the effort. Gurgun does not want to be trapped here for eternity, let's go!

Releasing the tension in his shoulders, Gurgun then sets off at a light trot, allowing the others to keep up.

As soon as it locks.
"Go Go Go.  Through the portal now.  Everybody that does not wish be berried in this grave.  Go now."
It seems the elf going to be last out and no argument about it.

Gurgun leads the way: passing over the bridge towards the nexus, and then turn to head back to the portal island (through the dragon(?) skeleton). Spotting any allies on the way he urges them to follow: The portal is open: now run!

The dwarf hesitated, waiting until at least Gurgun had passed through before moving through. The last thing he needed was another bump in the road to stop them. With a last glance at the lost knowledge in the libraries Jorn charges after the rest.